TARZAN ESCAPES

as told in the Big Little Book

Chapter Twelve - The Conspiracy

On the ledge outside the cave Rita and Major Fry watched Tarzan with an intense interest as he fondled Cheetah.

"A penny for your thoughts," Rita said suddenly.

"I was thinking," Major Fry said slowly, "how much more valuable he's going to be away from the jungle; more valuable, for example, than that half million legacy you can no longer prove."

Rita nodded understanding.

"But how are we going to get him out of the jungle? Get ourselves out for that matter? No guns, a crippled safari, wild jungle and the Gabonis waiting for us!"

"He will lead us out," the Major planned. "Then, when we get to civilization, "

"We'll do the leading," Rita finished. "But haven't you forgotten Jane?"

"Supposing you were ill," the hunter plotted. "In that case your cousin would be the first to urge Tarzan to take us back."

Rita smiled.

"I'm desperately il," she said, taking his arm, and pretending great weakness. "Better take me to my couch.

I'm terribly weak. The only way I could be moved is on a litter."

With gentle solicitude, Major Fry led her to the resting place, and then went to Tarzan and Jane with the news of Rita's illness.

Immediately Jane rushed to the cave to comfort her cousin.

So cleverly did Rita feign extreme suffering, that Jane was all solicitude.

"Oh, Rita," she consoled her cousin, "we'll take care of you. We will. But we can't here ."

Rita bestowed a sly wink upon the hunter as Jane hurried to tell Tarzan. He listened in silence, and, when she had finished, stood quietly, looking about him.

Then he placed his arms about Jane.

"Jane's people," he said. "My people. We go."

Jane's heart overflowed with gratitude. She well knew the cost of this decision. At her request Tarzan had taken these outsiders into the home that had never known intrusion. Now, at her pleading, he was going to lead her people back to civilization.

She knew what this meant to him, because, to her, leaving the jungle home was likewise a sacrifice.

Tarzan lifted his voice, calling his ape people together. Proudly, lovingly, Jane looked up at him. There was much to be done. Tarzan strode about, thinking, planning, as the great apes came at his call to the gathering place. Here, Tarzan mounted a gnarled stump and addressed them.

As they listened, they began to look at each other with looks of wonderment. Then their wonderment gave way to a dismal sound of sadness.

Tarzan, their beloved leader, was going to leave them!

Pleadingly they besought him not to go away, but Tarzan told them it must be so.

Timbee came forward, using every argument in his power.

"Friend," Tarzan placed his hand in great affection upon the shoulder of the ape.

"Jane's people. Our people. Must go."

Cheetah no longer a little mischief, gazed upon him, sorrowing.

"Come back soon," Tarzan promised, Steadily he took one last look about him in farewell. "Now work to do," he commanded.

Great and urgent haste was used in the effort to get Rita to civilization as quickly as possible.

Under Major Fry's direction, a litter had been assembled. All the surviving members of the safari were now armed with primitive weapons improvised from the materials at hand. The spears and clubs were clumsy but better than no means of protection.

Tarzan and Jane assembled bundles of fruit and packages of food.

Jane and the white men stood by as Tarzan gently deposited Rita on the litter.

"We're ready to go now," spoke Major Fry, who was accustomed to command.

Tarzan pointed behind them.

"Gabonis wait there we go this way you follow.

He led the way, with Jane and Eric keeping pace beside the litter upon which lay the apparently helpless invalid.

The natives were forced to proceed at a half-run to keep up with Tarzan's lead.

Swiftly the safari moved on, winding off around the jutting crags.